Friday, February 7, 2014

Potlucks with Rick Podowski and The Hefty Trio

It seems like potlucks have become more popular and we are often asked to bring a dish to school, work, church and family gatherings. The key is to find an interesting dish that is easy to prepare and will remain delicious even though it is prepared several hours in advance. Four dishes are presented below and the actual recipes can be found in the list of popular posts on this blog.

People in the United States call them quiche, but the Irish refer to them as pies. 



1.  Erin's Egg, Bacon and Leek Pie is a favorite. This pie is made with bacon, leeks, and cream and is flavored with parsley and nutmeg. The best part is that the saltiness of the bacon contrasts with the mellow flavors of the eggs and the leeks. Cook the pie, cut it into wedges and then put it on the table. A Clos LaChance Syrah is a perfect pairing for this dish.



2.  Another Irish pie is Erin's Leek and Swiss Pie. This pie is easy to make and it starts with a package of leek soup where you add cream, eggs dry mustard and lots of Swiss cheese.  The bottom of the baked piecrust is covered with deviled ham. After the pie has cooled, cut it into pieces, put a dab of sour cream on each piece with some parsley and the pie is ready for the potluck. Try River Run's Cote D' Aromas with this dish.


3.  Teresa's Hot Italian Sausages and Peppers is another hit at potlucks. Just add some spicy Italian sausages, garlic, onions, and a bell pepper to a frying pan and turn on the heat. In a few minutes you will have a tasty treat. Place bread around the outside of the dish, have a spoon handy and people can then indulge in this creation. A Travieso Amaranta goes well with this dish.



4.  If you want to be a little bit more ambitious, then try Rick's Famous Cabbage Rolls. This dish is a staple of Polish cuisine and features cabbage leaves filled with beef, pork, and rice. A contrast of color, texture and flavors makes this a great dish for a potluck. The Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir is light and fruity and compliments this dish.